The Georgia legislature a couple of years ago, working with then-Gov. Sonny Perdue, balked at expanding taxes to pay for the state’s transportation needs/desires, so created 12 regions in the state, each of which would come up with its own list of projects and each of which would hold a vote — scheduled for July 31st, 2012 — to see if that region would add another 1% to the sales tax. (The tax is being referred to routinely as T-Splost because of its similarity to other special purpose local option sales taxes.)

I really have no idea how this will play out. Obviously, various anti-tax forces will come out in opposition, but local governments and chambers of commerce are likely to lobby hard for approval. As noted in the SMN piece today, there really is no plan B. Yes, there will continue to be some Georgia Department of Transportation funding, but it’s inadequate for all the projects proposed in the state and regions that reject the extra 1% tax might find it politically hard to lobby for additional state funds.

The SMN piece today includes all the projects proposed for Chatham, Effingham, and Bryan counties. Click here for a more detailed list of how much would be spent — and when — on the projects in Chatham County.

With the vote now less than 4 months away, I hope the public debate about this will get rolling in earnest.

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ABOUT SAVANNAH UNPLUGGEDIn my columns in the Savannah Morning News, I write about the local economy and culture. But those columns don't exist in a vacuum: I follow a wide variety of national news and experience Savannah much more deeply than I can possibly capture in three columns a week. So here on Savannah Unplugged, you'll find everything from nationwide economic trends to nightclub photos. I also contribute to the political blog Peach Pundit and the music blog hissing lawns.